Controlling Wild Garlic

A popular customer question around this time of the year is ‘How can you get rid of wild garlic in the garden it seems to be taking over and I would really appreciate help. I have dug up for the last two years but they pop up again’.

I have put together a few helpful tips you can follow to control wild garlic.

Controlling wild garlic

You have probably already learned this the hard way but wild garlic is extremely hard to get rid of. There are two ways of controlling it, and you’ll probably have to do both.

1. Chemically
2. Manually

Best time to kill wild garlic

Aim to kill wild garlic plants throughout autumn, winter and early spring before plants can generate the next generation of bulbs in March.

Hoeing throughout winter or early spring will prevent development of new underground bulbs.

Chemical control combined with manual control

As well as hoeing, chemical control is necessary. The ingredient 2,4-D applied before plants are 8 inches tall can be an effective control. Lawn weed killer Dicophar contains 2,4-D and is a very effective weed killer.

The waxy finish of wild garlic leaves means that herbicides don’t penetrate it easily. While the smell will be very strong, it might be a good idea to mow or strim the area beforehand to break the leaf surface to allow the herbicide in. You may need to do this for several years in a row to totally control them as wild garlic bulbs can stay dormant in soil for 6 years.

Complete control in an area infested with wild garlic will require persistent management for at least 3 or 4 years (maybe as many as 6 years) is necessary to obtain complete control.

Top tips for killing wild garlic

1. Only apply herbicide to garlic plant because it may cause nearby plants to die
2. Wild garlic is a perennial
3. Digging bulbs out of ground may work for smaller areas
4. After applying herbicide don’t mow lawn for at least two weeks
5. One wild garlic plant can produce dozens of seeds that infest your lawn
6. Most common in acidic soils

Did you know?

Allium species such as spring onion and wild garlic are poisonous to both dogs and cats! Consult your vet if your pets ingest any allium species.

 We’re here to help

If you need any help with controlling wild garlic in your garden talk to any of our horticulturists in store. We’d love to help. It’s always very helpful to bring in some photos of your garden to help us visualise the space you are working with.